In the beginning Origin of Modern Astronomy Ch 22 GOD created the HEAVENS and the EARTH. (Gen. 1:1) 22.1 Early Astronomy/ Ancient Greece Astronomy: The science that studies the universe, dealing with properties of objects in space. Astrology: A belief that the positions of heavenly bodies (stars) have an influence on human affairs A. Ancient Greece (600 BC- 150 AD) is where early astronomy was started. 1. The Greeks used philosophical arguments to explain natural phenomena, believing in a geocentric universe. Early Astronomy 2. The Greeks also used some observational data; they were responsible the first good measurements of distances in the solar system, thanks to their invention of geometry and trigonometry. B. Two Basic Theories Existed: 1. Geocentric Model A. With the Earth at the center, the sun and all the known planets revolve around it in perfect circles. B. The stars revolve around the earth in a hollow celestial sphere. 1
2. Heliocentric Model/Theory The model that we have today in which the sun is at the center and all the planets orbit around it (but not in perfect circles). C. Ancient Greek Astronomers 1. Aristotle: (384-322 BC) 2. Aristarchus (310-230 BC) a. Greek philosopher who figured out the Earth was round. b. He reasoned that the phases of the moon were a result of the Earth s shadow c. Believed in a geocentric universe A. First Greek to propose a SUN CENTERED universe, in which all the planets orbit the sun. B. Also proposed the idea that other stars were suns that gave light like ours. C. His theory was not considered credible because Aristotle s ideas (geocentric system) had been accepted before him. 3. Hipparchus (200 BC) A. Greek astronomer and mathematician, best known for his star catalog. B. He determined the location of 850 stars and grouped them according to their brightness. C. Also the first to measure the distance to the moon 4. Eratosthenes (195 BC) A. Greek mathematician who used simple geometry to figure out the circumference of the earth (read/explain how he did it on page 615) 2
5. Claudius Ptolemy - A.D. 141 A. Ptolemaic System: 1. planets in circular orbits around a motionless earth 2. was able to predict the motion of planets mathematically B. Because the church adopted it, his theory was not challenged for 1300 years. 5. Claudius Ptolemy - A.D. 141 C. Epicycles (circular movement) were Ptolemy s reasoning behind how the wandering stars (planets) moved. D. Retrograde motion is the apparent westward motion of the planets with respect to the stars. Retrograde Motion E. The Roman Catholic church accepted the Ptolemaic theory, because biblical passages suggested the sun was in constant motion while Earth remained in one place. Since the Church was in control during this time period, anyone who did not believe in the Ptolemaic theory would be punished, possibly with house arrest. 1300 years later. II. The Birth of Modern Astronomy 1. Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) A. Polish Christian astronomer/mathematician B. Concluded that the Earth was a planet rotated once every day revolved around the sun once a year C. Still could not figure out the planets (retrograde) motions 3
2. Tycho Brahe D. Copernicus wrote a 40 page paper explaining the math and reasoning behind his theory. E. Because he feared the church, it wasn t published until after he died, but to this day is considered a classic work. A. Danish Nobleman (1546-1601) B. Built math instruments and the first observatory to measure distances of objects in space. C. Made most precise measurements to date because the size of the instruments were huge. 3. Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) A. German Christian mathematician B. Hired by Tycho Brahe to further his learning C. He developed 3 laws of planetary motion: 1. The orbit of each planet is an ellipse not a circle. 2. Orbital planet speed is faster near the sun and slower when farther away. 3. T 2 =d 3 The time it takes a planet to orbit is proportional to its distance from the sun. 4
D. He determined the average distance from earth to sun, calling it an astronomical unit (1 AU - 150 million km or 93 million miles). E. Elliptical orbits also enabled him to understand retrograde motion of the planets. 4. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) A. Italian scientist who discovered how objects/planets moved in relation to each other B. He is credited with inventing the telescope and using it to look into space. C. Galileo s discoveries: 1. Jupiter had 4 satellites orbiting it. 2. Planets are circular disks, not stars. 3. Venus has phases like the moon. 4. The moon s surface is not smooth. 5. The sun had spots, or dark regions. D. The church had condemned Copernicus work and tried to suppress Galileo also. After publishing a book about his discoveries, he was convicted (by the church) for teaching against church doctrine and sentenced to house arrest for 10 years. 5.Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) A. A Christian Englishman, he questioned light, forces, mass, etc. B. He was the first to formulate and test the law of universal gravitation. C. Newton s discoveries: Laws of Gravitational force: 1. Every object attracts every other object with a force proportional to its mass. That force is gravity. 2. The greater the distance the less force (pull of gravity) 3. The force of gravity and inertia result in planets having an elliptical orbit around sun. 4. Weight is not the same as mass. It is the pull of gravity on an object, expressed in newtons. 5
22.2 Earth, Moon, & Sun Motions Inertia an object will keep moving in a straight line unless another force acts on it. The sun s gravity is that force on our earth. I. Motions of the Earth A. Rotation the turning/spinning of the earth on its axis: 1. Day and night result 2. Takes about 24 hours (solar day) Sidereal day 23hrs 56 min; difference of 1 degree/day around the sun B. Revolution the orbit of one object around another in space. 1. Earth revolves around the sun at about 107,000km/h (=67,000mph) a. Perihelion (closer to the sun in Jan) 147 million km b. Aphelion (farthest from the sun in July) 152 million km c. Ecliptic the apparent pathway of the sun and planets through the sky C. Earth s Axis and Seasons 1.The plane of the ecliptic and celestial sphere The imaginary flat surface around which the sun and all the planets appear to travel across the sky Is 23.5 degrees from the plane of the equator because of the tilt of the earth. The tilt causes the earth s yearly cycle of seasons (perfectly designed by God) C. Earth s Axis and Seasons 2. Intersection of the two planes results in the sun appearing at specific times Two equinoxes (equal day and nights) spring - March 20-21) autumn Sept. 22-23 Two solstices (sun stops ) Summer June 21-22 Winter Dec. 21-22 6
D. Precession the top-like wobble of the Earth The slow motion of the earth s axis as it traces out a circle on the sky (like a top); 1 period = 26,000 years. In 13,000 yrs the north star would be Vega instead of Polaris. II. Motions of the Earth/Moon System A. Motion Facts 1. Moon is Earth s only natural satellite 2. Orbit is elliptical, and takes about 1 month 3. Avg distance is 387,000 km (238,900 mi) 4. Perigee closest point; Apogee farthest point 5. 5 tilt off of Earth s equator 1. New Moon no light seen from earth 2. Waxing crescent small sliver on the right 3. First quarter (looks like ½ moon, light on right) 4. Waxing gibbous ¾ full on the right 5. Full moon 6. Waning gibbous ¾ full light on the left 7. Third quarter (looks like ½ moon; light on left) 8. Waning crescent sliver on the left 9. Back to new moon and cycle starts again B. Phases of the Moon C. Facts about Phases 1. Waxing initial phases light is on the right getting larger as it progresses toward full. 2. Waning light decreases from the right, leaving the left side lighted until none remains. 3. Terminator the dividing line between the dark and light side of the moon 4. Far side side facing away from earth 5. Near side side facing earth 6. Dark side where light is not, -173 C 7. No atmosphere on the moon; so 127 C on the light/day side D. Lunar Motions 1. It takes 29 ½ days for the moon to go through it s phases (synodic month); this was the basis for the Roman calendar we use today. 2. It takes 27½ days for the moon to rotate once, AND to orbit the earth, so we always see the same side of the moon 7
D. Eclipses 1. The moon s orbit must cross the plane of the ecliptic for an eclipse to take place. 2.Solar eclipses occur when the moon moves in a line directly between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on Earth. Occurs only at a new moon phase total eclipse can happen because the sun is 400 times larger and 400 times farther away (what are the odds of that happening as a random act of evolution?) 2. Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth s shadow. (sun, earth, moon) video (note the positions of the Umbra & Penumbra) Only occurs during a full-moon phase During a new-moon or full-moon phase, the moon s orbit must cross the plane of the ecliptic for an eclipse to take place. 22.3 Surface Features of the Moon A. Moon Facts 1. Diameter = 3475 km (about ¼ of Earth dia) 2. Density = 3 times denser than water (Earth is 5 times denser); iron core is less dense than Earth 3. Gravity is 1/6 of Earth s (150lbs = 25 lbs); you can jump 6 times higher on the moon 4. Responsible for the tides and ocean circulation B. The Lunar Surface 1. Craters a) Depression at the summit of a volcano or a depression produced by a meteorite impact. b) Most were produced by the impact of rapidly moving debris. c) Largest is 250 km diam. ( a 3 meter meteorite can produce a 150 meter wide crater) d) Rays are any of a system of bright, elongated streaks, sometimes associated with a crater. 2. Highlands a) Most of the lunar surface is made up of densely pitted, light-colored areas known as highlands. b) Contain mountain ranges; some peaks are 8km high (almost as high as Mt Everest) 3. Maria dark smooth areas a) Ancient beds of basaltic lava flows; thousands of feet thick b) Rilles long channels resembling rivers 8
4. Regolith Soil-like layer composed of igneous rocks, glass beads and fine lunar dust. About 3 meters thick on the surface C. Lunar History Genesis 1:16 And God made the two great lights the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night and the stars. (Ps 8:3 the moon and the stars that you have set in place ) The capture theory The idea that the moon was once a planet that fell into the gravitational pull of the earth s orbit The fission theory that a part of the earth spun off as the earth was forming The accretion theory both the earth and the moon condensed from the same cloud of dust and gas. C. Lunar History The impact theory - The most widely accepted model for the origin of the moon is that when the solar system was forming, a body the size of Mars impacted Earth. The resulting debris was ejected into space, began orbiting around Earth, and eventually united to form the moon. Design Facts - However, science has proven that this planetary oddity actually plays a vitally important role in supporting life upon this planet. The moon is primarily responsible for our tides. The tides generate a large-scale circulation that keeps the oceans from becoming stagnant. The tides also allow nutrients from the continents to be flushed out into the oceans, keeping them nutrient-rich and able to support life. Any scientist will tell you that life is dependent upon water. The moon has a positive impact upon the largest bodies of water on our planet. Also, in 1993 it was discovered that the moon is responsible for stabilizing the tilt of the Earth's axis. This tilt of 23.5 degrees is what gives us our seasons. Because of the stability of this tilt, we can expect the seasons to change throughout the year. If this tilt were not fixed, we would have prolonged periods of extreme weather. No one would be able to grow food. In fact, with extreme tilts in the earth's axis, large areas of the planet would be in total darkness for months, or even years, at a time. Imagine the effect of the North Pole temporarily relocating to someplace like Chicago! The moon gives our planet the stability that it needs to sustain life. Moon stabilizes earth 9